As many people know, Councillor Mary Watson has decided to stand down from the City Council next May after fourteen years of service to all the people of Whalley Range. She says “Although I will no longer be a councillor, I’m not going anywhere – I hope to remain involved with Whalley Range groups and meeting local people here for many years to come”.

At a packed selection meeting on Tuesday 17 September, Labour members in Whalley Range chose Assia Shah to be their candidate to stand in Mary’s place in the next local election to be held in May 2020. Assia, seen in the photo chatting with Mary, is a social worker with a long career in the public sector and many voluntary roles, and has a particular interest in promoting community cohesion. She says “I am so pleased to be have been selected, and delighted to be joining Mary, Aftab and Angeliki. I’m really looking forward to meeting as many people as possible in Whalley Range in the next few months”.